Introduction to Netflix’s New Appointment
UK Independent Film Producers have expressed enthusiasm and caution after Netflix’s decision to strengthen its British film presence through the appointment of Film4 and Channel 4 Drama Head Ollie Madden as the director of British film. Madden will join the US streamer at the beginning of October and report to Anne Mensah, the Vice President for Content based in Great Britain.
Reaction from the Film Industry
"These are exciting news," said Gillian Berrie of Sigma films. "It is another remarkable step in the right direction in which we can now not only see the government, but also the corporate policy that supports the sector properly, and another sign that Netflix is recognizing a new era of filmmaking in Great Britain and would like to take part in it."
Vaughan Sivell, CEO of Western Edge Films, was also enthusiastic. "I think it’s great news. It consolidates Netflix’s position in Great Britain with an attitude of such experience and meaning, which is very encouraging. Ollie has a great track record and a great taste."
Nicky Bentham, producer at Neon Films, added to Madden: "He has fantastic talent relationships in British independent film, and I hope that his appointment is associated with a new British film strategy that enables Netflix to become a goal for British filmmakers again."
Caution and Skepticism
However, some producers who asked to stay anonymous carefully expressed whether Madden’s attitude meant a real commitment of the US streamer to support British talent and the British local industry.
"The move is not surprising. I will believe Netflix’s commitment to be a real player in British film when I see it," said a British producer. "Good luck for Ollie. I hope he can lead her to a proper obligation to be a player within the British film."
The producer, although it was not part of the Breakout program, addressed the problem of the Netflix bruising decision to end the program for rising filmmakers, which he ran in 2023 with Creative UK, without projects, which suggests that repair work between the streamer and the pockets of the independent sector are necessary. "It was pretty terrible what happened. You have to do it well again," the producer noticed.
Concerns and Expectations
Not everyone is convinced that Netflix’s new appointment will bring about significant changes. "Ollie is now almost a veteran," added another producer. "I hope it’s good for other British films. The last time I was Anne Mensah’s task, it was to make big IP, large cast films from Great Britain. Peaky Blinders be a perfect example. If this does not change, we will not return to the days on which you will make cheaper films."
Some producers are also concerned that Netflix’s focus on big-budget films and TV series might not be the best approach for the British film industry. "It sounds exciting, but the feeling that I get Anne Mensah is not crazy about filming. I don’t think so youth. Maybe you will also look at different types of film."
Netflix’s Past Record
Netflix’s British film presence has fluctuated over the years. Most recently, Teresa Moneo went quietly at the beginning of this year as the head of the original film of the UK, with films like Joy, Edward Berger’s The Ballad of a Small Player, and Tom Harper’s Peaky Blinders film.
The entire industry has had a very disappointing experience with what the Netflix appetite is to really deal with the British film industry. Even in its current TAF, it happens to be strategic. Peaky Blinders film.
For years, there has been no sense that they are seriously a place where you would take a film. For the size of Netflix, it never looked a meaningful place that is interested. They are interested in taking the extended career on their heads that emerged from British films.
In terms of this next era, I heard of people in the [Netflix] structure that said that the strategy is first film not first watch TV first. In the producer community, we are certainly skeptical that it will not be the star package mini-series that will dominate. Netflix is currently saying that this is not the case, and you will have a film strategy.
Ollie is obviously someone who is very divided into the community, most of us know and is very popular. We may try to be different this time, but we had several terms of office that were not translated into a meaningful commitment.
